The code comes on a black plastic piece that went on the original key ring with two keys.

I made it a point to write the number down inside of the owners manual. The OM tells you to write all the numbers down even the VIN. Read the manual and do what it says (for the most part)!

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2005 Suzuki SV1000R
1985 Yamaha XT608N
2012 Suzuki DL650AL2, over 13,000 miles already!

The "key code" is simply a code that tells the key cutting machine where, how deep, how wide, etc. to make the cuts. Purely mechanical. If you have a key in hand, anyone that has the correct blank can take your current key and use it as a pattern to cut the exact same pattern into the blank. So if you walk in with the code, that tells them how to make the cuts, if you walk in with a key, they just trace the cuts onto the new blank.

Not to be confused with "coded or chip" keys that all automobiles and some motorcycles have. In addition to the correct mechanical pattern being cut into the key the internal electronics have to be "learned" by the car or motorcycle. Most of these chip vehicles allow you to make an extra key work by using the two original keys that are already correctly programmed. If you have lost a key and have only one. it MUST be reprogrammed by a dealer with a special tool. This is kept very secure, you can imagine how a car thief might like to own one!

While I think I read the European versions of the 2012 DL 650 have a "chip or coded" key, the North American units do not?

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'12 DL 650- '04 DL 650- '03 DL 1000- '04 R 1150 RT

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Right. North American Glees do not have chipped keys. No other V-Strom except the Glee anywhere has them.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

I see - yes, I thought our keys were chipped. Unchipped keys are easier (cheaper) to deal with for extras. Thanks to all for the info!

I may have written the key code in my OM when I first got the bike over 9 months ago now, I will have to check! I did record the VIN so hopefully I jotted it down at the same time as instructed.

Another option is to take a couple of photos of the key and keep them on your phone/camera and on a computer that some-one could email the images to a locksmith shop to get a copy made, as not all shops have the code books to decipher the codes anyway.
Whenever I rent a car I usually take a photo of the key just in case I lose it.

I have made keys from a faxed copy of the key when the original is not available on several occasions, so a photo should work well enough in a pinch.

Using a Zap Strap to attached a spare key to the bike is a good idea as well, just don't forget to Zap Strap a knife to the bike as well so you can cut the key free when you need it.

The locksmith kiosk in the shopping center made these for me, one fits in my wallet, another on my key ring. I found the stock key, with their gigantic plastic handle and blade to be too big to carry around for everyday riding. I zip tied keys for my Givi luggage under the seat. If I lose my key on a trip, the spare ignition is in my wallet, that gets me under the seat to access the spare luggage key. They cost about $4 each, and some time to grind the shank down a bit so it would fit deep enough into the ingnition module to turn.

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Medford, Or.

2007 DL1000 Black (crashed, totaled)
2008 DL650 (wife's sold)
DL650AL2 (Orange) it's Home.....
Exodus 20:17

Good idea here about zipping the keys in a hidden place. I am lucky though, I keep a spare set of ignition and luggage keys in my Givi saddlebags. I have the E41 keyless hard bags so my keys are easily retrieved by entering the combination to the small door on my bag that contains the keys and reaching in and pulling the keys loose from where I have duct taped them inside the bag. Problem solved for me.

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Doug in Kentucky (Semper Fi)
Live in the moment, for only the moment is real.
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2007 Wee-Strom
2009 Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive
2001 Honda Helix (Sold)
1980 Honda Express (my toy!)